Corrugated cushioned inserts

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus for packaging electrical components such as circuit boards, lap top computer, etc., within a carton, and, more particularly, to an insert for packaging electrical components within a carton being pivotable about a pair of hinge lines to absorb outside forces.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An insert having an upper and lower surface for packaging an electrical component within a carton having a floor panel, the insert comprising: a compartment for receiving said electrical component, said compartment having a pair of side panels and being generally rectangular in cross section; and   a foot for contacting a floor panel of carton which suspends said compartment to protect said components from exterior forces during shipping, said compartment being inwardly collapsed along a pair of opposed parallel fold lines to form a pair of inwardly inclined opposed surfaces and a pair of outwardly inclined opposed surfaces, a hinge line thereby formed between each said inwardly inclined surface and its associated outwardly inclined surface, a first hinge line being located on said upper surface and an opposed, parallel second hinge line being located on said lower surface, said outwardly inclined opposed surfaces being bridged by a pair of triangular end flaps forming a pair of triangular pockets, said foot having a base extending from one of said outwardly extending surfaces and having triangular tabs receivable in said triangular pockets to retain said base in said pockets and form said foot, said foot extending downwardly below said compartment to contact said floor panel and being pivotable about said first and second hinge lines to thereby absorb outside forces.   
     
     
       2. The insert of claim 1 further comprising a pair of side cushioning elements, each of said side elements being formed by rolling a rectangular panel upon itself, said side elements being located on opposing side panels of said compartment, each said side element being shaped and located to absorb exterior forces imparted upon the side of said insert to protect an electrical component. 
     
     
       3. The insert of claim 2 wherein said side cushioning elements are substantially rectangular in cross section. 
     
     
       4. The insert of claim 3 wherein said compartment and said base are oriented in substantially perpendicular planes. 
     
     
       5. The insert of claim 4 wherein the width of said compartment and said pair of side cushioning elements is greater than the length of said first or said second hinge line. 
     
     
       6. A suspension assembly for packaging an electrical component within a carton having a floor panel, the assembly comprising: a pair of inserts to be used in combination, wherein each of said inserts has an upper surface and a lower surface and comprises a compartment having a pair of side panels, said compartment being generally rectangular in cross section and defining a mouth for receiving an electrical component, each of said inserts further comprising a foot for contacting a floor panel of a carton for suspending said compartment to protect said component from exterior forces during shipping, said compartment being inwardly collapsed along a pair of opposed parallel fold lines to form a pair of inwardly inclined opposed surfaces and a pair of outwardly inclined opposed surfaces, a hinge line thereby formed between each said inwardly inclined surface and its associated outwardly inclined surface, a first hinge line being located on said upper surface and an opposed, parallel second hinge line being located on said lower surface, said outwardly inclined opposed surfaces being bridged by a pair of triangular end flaps forming a pair of triangular pockets, said foot having a base extending from one of said outwardly extending surface and having triangular tabs receivable in said triangular pockets to retain said base in said pockets and form said foot, said foot extending downwardly below said compartment to contact said floor panel and being pivotable about said first and second hinge lines such that when said inserts are juxtaposed with both said mouths facing each other and slid over said electrical component as a sleeve said inserts thereby suspend said electrical component above said floor panel and are pivotable about their associated hinge lines to thereby absorb outside forces.